Bottles thrown at Lokomotiv team bus in Turkey

ISTANBUL – Bottles were thrown at Lokomotiv Moscow's team bus and a Russian player sparked controversy on the pitch with a picture of Vladimir Putin on his vest in a politically-charged game against Turkish side Fenerbahce on Tuesday.

Turkish police detained three people after bottles were thrown as the bus headed for the Europa League match in Istanbul's Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.

Police said the three people were drunk and that one of the bus' windows was slightly cracked.

Turkish media reported that those responsible were Fenerbahce fans.

Lokomotiv is almost certain to face disciplinary action from European soccer's ruling body after its midfielder Dmitri Tarasov pulled off his shirt to reveal a portrait of Putin and a slogan supporting the Russian president on his vest.

Ties between Turkey and Russia have been tense since November when Turkey shot down a Russian warplane after it violated its border near Syria.

Beneath the portrait of Putin, who is wearing a Russian navy cap in the picture, the vest read in Russian: "The most polite president."

Political statements are not allowed by UEFA at its competitions.

Tarasov later defended his behavior, telling Russian agency R-Sport: "It's my president. I respect him and decided to show that I'm always with him and prepared to give my support.

"What was written on that shirt was everything that I wanted to say."

Late last year, UEFA rejected calls to separate Russia and Turkey in the draw for this summer's European Championship - and also the two countries' clubs in the Europa League draws.